When it comes to shopping for opal jewelry parcels, jewelers have a plethora of options to choose from. These parcels offer a diverse selection of opals from various mine sites, including Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, Winton, Koroit, Mintabie, Andamooka, and Yowah, providing jewelers with many choices. One prevalent type of opal often included in these parcels is crystal opals from Coober Pedy. These opals, often available in cabochon and faceted cuts, usually undergo calibration to ensure all stones within the parcel have a consistent size and shape. Because the reductions often originate from the same slice of opal, the colors, brightness, and patterns typically closely match.
Jewelers favor calibrated opals for their versatility in designs, such as bracelets and earrings, and as complementary smaller stones in rings and pendant necklaces. Some parcels even include two calibrated stones and a larger stone, ideal for creating matching sets. These calibrated parcels come in sizes ranging from 2 to 20 stones. Shapes commonly found in Coober Pedy opal jewelry parcels include oval, round, teardrop, pear, heart, and marquise. Additionally, raw shapes are available for making doublets, although jewelers need to calibrate them due to the difficulty in finding identical raw shape opal slices.
Doublets
Jewelers worldwide seek doublets, another sought-after type of opal sold in parcels. Consisting of a black potch backing and a thin opal slice affixed to the top, doublets enhance the colors in the crystal opal slice.
They are offered in various options: matched pairs, parcels of 3 to 5, or shell opal parcels. The latter features free-form shell opals converted into doublets to enhance durability. While doublets can be sold in calibrated parcels, most are available in freeform shapes to meet the demand for unique jewelry designs.
Shell opal doublets, valued for their unique appearance and patterns, have varying height measurements, giving finished jewelry a wave-like effect. Particularly striking when paired with blue opal doublets, they evoke the serene beauty of ocean waves.
Although less common, Welo opal, boulder opal, white opal, and black opal are occasionally sold in parcels for jewelry making. Their demand is lower due to the higher cost of black opal and the need to buy multiple stones.
Boulder opal parcels are often preferred by pendant and necklace makers looking to create various pieces for sale at markets.
